Keyes swept both ARX2 races for Buhl Sport Detroit at Circuit of the Americas

October 10, 2018

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Editor note: Alex Keyes, a 21-year-old rallycross racer from Pittsburgh, raced in the ARX 2 class of the Americas Rallycross Series for Buhl Sport Detroit. He closed out the inaugural season in outstanding fashion, racing to wins in both races of the season-ending doubleheader on Sept. 29-30 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Keyes shared his thoughts with Autoweek on the first season of the ARX in this exclusive column.

Rallycross, compared to other motorsports, has many different challenges as a driver. The No. 1 challenge is you need to be able to adapt your driving style and set up the car quickly. With World Rallycross and ARX running with us this year, conditions are different every time we go out on track.

The World RX cars blow off a lot of the dirt and lay down rubber on the hardpack dirt as well as the pavement. This is something I experienced racing Pro Mazda on an IndyCar weekend, but with the dirt consequences are much bigger. Being off the racing line in pavement can cost a few tenths in one corner, in the dirt it can cost you twice that or more, making it extra important to keep focused.

I felt great all weekend as my team kept me focused in my zone, pushing me forward to come home with two wins. We did it two completely different ways, as well, and the team worked hard with a rough start to both days!

Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross’ Scott Speed claimed the inaugural Americas Rallycross (ARX) title at the inaugural World Rallycross USA held at Circuit of The Americas. Teammate Tanner Foust did ...

The first day, we only got four laps of practice compared to everyone else's eight laps, and Sunday, we got hit in Q1, putting us in catch-up mode the rest of the day.

Dominating in the rain on Saturday confirmed my skills as a driver and also our team's ability to give me the best equipment out there, even without the extra practice. This gave me no excuses for Sunday in the dry. Starting fourth in the final wasn’t the best spot, but we had nothing to lose. I made my move for the joker on the first lap, and everyone else went with a different strategy.

I was able to chase down the leaders and pick them off as they took the joker; the joker merge for the lead was intense, with my spotter yelling to defend the inside and pushing me to bring it home in first place.

ARX finale at COTA Photo 31 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

Photo by Americas Rallycross

ARX finale at COTA Photo 12 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

Photo by Americas Rallycross

ARX finale at COTA Photo 23 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

Photo by Americas Rallycross

ARX finale at COTA Photo 44 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

Photo by Americas Rallycross

ARX finale at COTA Photo 55 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

Photo by Americas Rallycross

ARX finale at COTA Photo 66 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

Photo by Americas Rallycross

ARX finale at COTA Photo 77 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

Photo by Americas Rallycross

ARX finale at COTA Photo 88 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

Photo by Americas Rallycross

ARX finale at COTA Photo 99 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

Photo by Americas Rallycross

ARX finale at COTA Photo 1010 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

Photo by Americas Rallycross

ARX finale at COTA Photo 1111 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

Photo by Americas Rallycross

ARX finale at COTA Photo 1212 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

Photo by Americas Rallycross

ARX finale at COTA Photo 1313 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

Photo by Americas Rallycross

ARX finale at COTA Photo 1414 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

Photo by Americas Rallycross

ARX finale at COTA Photo 1515 of 16Images of Americas Rallycross action at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday. Scott Speed closed out the series' inaugural season with the title.

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The relationship I built with the team as well as the ARX paddock made both wins a very special celebration for me. I always like to take the cool-down lap slow, thank the team, and pass by the stands hanging out of the car. Winning is an addicting feeling!

I think the biggest difference-maker in our performance was the positive atmosphere everyone contributes to on our team. When things didn't go as planned on both race days, it was the attitude of the people on our team that kept us focused on winning in the most important race, the final!

Going into the season, there was a lot of uncertainty for Rallycross in general. For me, I was worried I wouldn't be racing. Since I wasn’t planning on racing, I stacked my whole summer with instructing jobs at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. As much as I love instructing, it was awesome to request time off work to get back in the seat of a race car! Thanks to Robbie Buhl and Buhl Sport, ARX, Champion, AF Racing, and a few others for giving me the opportunity this season.